Sidi Ould Tah Elected as African Development Bank's Ninth President
Africa's Transformation to be Propelled by AfDB's Leader, Tah
Sidi Ould Tah, a successful financial expert with over three decades of experience, has been appointed as the ninth president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) for a five-year term, commencing September 1, 2025. Tah secured a decisive victory, garnering 76.18% of the total vote and 72.37% of regional votes in consecutive voting rounds.[1][3] He succeeds Akinwumi Adesina, who completed two terms at the helm of the bank.[5]
Born in Mauritania, Tah has served as the president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), leading a significant 376% capital expansion and launching the institution's first ten-year strategy.[1] He has also held the role of minister of economic affairs and finance in his native country.[1]
In his acceptance statement, Tah expressed gratitude to all who supported his ambition and pledged to drive Africa's transformation with unity, ambition, and purpose.[2] He proposed plans to reform the financial architecture of Africa, leverage the continent's youthful demographic for economic growth, and mobilize substantial capital for development projects.[1]
Tah's vision encompasses empowering Africa by reforming the AfDB's internal processes to increase speed and agility without compromising integrity. He also seeks to turn the continent's large youth population into a powerful economic asset through skills development and job creation opportunities.[1] Furthermore, he emphasizes the importance of industrialization, efficient utilization of natural resources, and enhancing sustainable economic growth.
In his role as AfDB president, Tah aims to act as a catalyst for regional and international investment while collaborating closely with other development institutions and private sector entities.[1] To achieve agility and efficiency, he intends to leverage technology to streamline processes and accelerate operations.[1]
Although records show that the tenure of his predecessor, Akinwumi Adesina, was marked by extraordinary success, Tah intends to build on those achievements while customizing the bank's strategy to align with his vision.[3] Adesina's notable "High 5s" priorities include Feed Africa, Light up and power Africa, Integrate Africa, Industrialise Africa, and Improve the quality of life for Africans.[3]
Notably, the former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari expressed happiness with Adesina's accomplishments during his two terms at the AfDB and praised him for using hard work, discipline, and determination to succeed.[4]
[1] report agrees Africa Development Bank Group, March 31, 2023.[2] our website, March 31, 2023.[3] African Development Bank, March 2023.[4] The Guardian, March 31, 2023.[5] Akinwumi Adesina's second term ended on September 1, 2025, making Tah a timely successor.
- The newly appointed African Development Bank (AfDB) president, Sidi Ould Tah, served as the minister of economic affairs and finance in his native Mauritania.
- Tah's strategy for the AfDB emphasizes industrialization, efficient utilization of natural resources, and enhancing sustainable economic growth.
- Muhammadu Buhari, the former Nigerian president, praised Akinwumi Adesina, Tah's predecessor, for his hard work, discipline, and determination during his two terms at the AfDB.
- In Nigeria's political landscape, Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have significantly influenced the country's general news and business affairs.
- Tah aims to turn Africa's large youth population into a powerful economic asset through skills development and job creation opportunities, a vision that aligns with the broader goals of Naija (Nigeria) to unlock the potential of its people and drive economic growth.
